The revelation came after Julie decided to DNA test both dogs using the Wisdom Panel™ Premium Kit, a leading pet genetic testing service.
“I haven’t stopped crying,” said Julie. “I feel shocked because although in hindsight it makes so much sense! We always just assumed they were best friends and that they had bonded in the shelter because they were likely brought in together or already knew one another. They also look nothing alike!”
“Betty and Bean were found abandoned in Texas by animal control on the same day in 2017” explains Julie Shannon, dog mum to Betty and Bean. “We were told by the rescue organisation who saved them that they likely bonded in the shelter because they shared a kennel due to overcrowding”.
Julie continues: “Their love for each other was so apparent that the organisation decided they should only be adopted as a bonded pair. When we saw their photo online, Betty and Bean had been in rescue care for over one year already with little adoption interest. We adopted them in December 2018 after they had been moved to foster care in Canada with the hope of finally finding them a forever home. In 2020 we all relocated to the UK as a family. What an adventure these two have had!”
Julie DNA tested both Betty and Bean with world-leading genetic testing brand, Wisdom Panel™. The Wisdom Panel™ Premium Kit screens for 365+ breeds, 260+ genetic health conditions, 50+ physical traits, 15 behavioural predispositions and helps to identify any relatives, allowing pet parents to understand their pet as the individual that they are. As it turns out, Betty and Beans' DNA test results revealed the pair are full sisters.
“To know that they are full sisters means everything to us. Betty and Bean are our family and now we know they were a family first! It's so heartwarming to know that even though they didn't have the easiest start in life, they have actually always had each other from the very beginning. Thank goodness the rescue decided to keep them together”.
The DNA results revealed not only that the duo are full siblings but also held surprises regarding their breed. “They both have Toy Poodle in their mix at such a high percentage. Especially Bean, as she does look so much like a Chihuahua. Also, Betty has even more Chihuahua in her than Bean does! We were convinced Betty was a terrier/schnauzer mix of some kind”.
For more than 20 years, Wisdom Panel has harnessed the power of genetics to shape the future of pet health and deepen the bond between people and pets. These breakthrough insights offer first-hand behavioural predications to help pet parents better understand their pets and strengthen their bond.
To date, Wisdom Panel™ has tested 5 million pets, a huge step towards unlocking genetic insights to combat hereditary diseases.